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Marshal Wang Shih-chen was born at Cheng-ting, Chibli province, in 1864. He graduated from the Peiyang Military School, Tientsin, which was founded in 1885 and was in the same class with Marshal Tuan Chi-jui. After graduation Marshal Wang rose in the Imperial Army through various ranks. He was a veteran soldier of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95. In 1895, after the close of the war, Yuan Shih-kai was appointed Director-General to train modern troops. Marshal Wang was one of Yuan Shihkai's three lieutenants engaged in the military training at Hsiao Chan, the other two being the late President Feng Kuo-chang and Marshal Tuan Chi-jui. Marshal Wang was then Commander of the Engineering Corps. In 1899 when Yuan Shih-kai became Viceroy of Shantung, Marshal Wang followed him accepting the post of Director of the Staffs Department. In 1902 Yuan Shih-kai became Viceroy of Chihli. In 1903 the Imperial